The Church is under fire. Upon reading that statement, half the people who started reading this article just moved on to something "more interesting."

And that response is troublesome.

The plight of believers gets little attention on the global stage, leaving many Christians throughout North America unaware and therefore indifferent to what's going on in the body of Christ.

Mention persecution, and eyes glaze over. Silence continues because not enough church leaders are talking about it from the pulpit. Although Barna Research states the opposite, many North American church leaders and pastors say their flocks don't want to hear such negative and depressing things....

Jim, sorry, I read another article then this one and in the commotion around me mixed the two up!!

Anyway, on this subject, the first few posts were right on - yes we need to care, they're fellow brothers/sisters! If we walk in Gods light, denying ourselves and taking up our crosses, we will most certainly be persecuted to some degree. I pray for thiose who are facing life or death - makes our day-to-day trials look wimpy in comparison. Tehy need real help and support from local church bodies who can do so!

Not sure where Jim is going with his thoughts, the article speaks of those escaping persecution which is quite consistent with Scripture where believers are admonished to flee persecution. I believe the article is on how are supporting our persecuted brethren. Albert N Martin did a series about 10 years ago on the subject available at this website.

Anne, well of course there are other verses besides this that call out our obedience to Government, e.g., we are being obedient to God when we pay our taxes. I think you'll find the only place Gil pointed out (See the the html version of Rendering To Caesar---A Biblical Perspective On Government ), that we can disobey government is when they try to stop us from proclaiming the Gospel.

Jim, why so quick to call out only the first part of the verse? Who's to be rendered to first? Isn't the master of the servant to whom the servant should serve first? Caesar is NOT my god; therefore, I serve the true living God who put Caesar in place and is under God's authority. My allegiance, loyalty, duty and service is therefore directed by God as is any "rendering to Caesar" that I am obliged to do.

"Then Jesus told them, 'Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesarâ€™s, and to God the things that are Godâ€™s.' And they were amazed at Him." (Mark 12:17)

Matthew 511 "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.12 "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.---NASB

yes, pastors need to be dealing with this! yes, many have left churches as they prepare for persecution, as our brethren of centuries past have done, while their churches do warren type "consensus" discussions. so many beloved pastors, reclaim God's plan for you! Quit trying to entertain those who will not take up their cross and follow Christ! yes, young people will often visit churches and wonder why they are so out of step with what is going on in their work places, told to obey everything authorities say, then their authorities tell them they must give allegiance to a gay group or something. let's quit giving them mixed messages and give them a biblical understanding of what we are all dealing with in the world around them, equip them and pray for them!